Wedding at Bickleigh Castle Devon
When the time finally came, the sun shone on the couple. The weekend of celebrations began on a sunny Friday in June; everyone arrived at Bickleigh Castle to a Devon cream tea and an evening barbecue. "This gave me a chance to catch up with everybody before the big day," says Yrsa.
Wedding at Bickleigh Castle Devon
Wedding at Bickleigh Castle Devon
In keeping with the surroundings, Yrsa chose romantic country garden flowers: cream and pale pink roses, peonies, delphiniums, freesias and lisianthus. The bridesmaids' dresses tied in with the palette: ivory with pale pink sashes for the five younger bridesmaids and dusky pink for the two older bridesmaids. Yrsa wore her twin sister's wedding dress, which she personalised by adding lace and crystals and changing the straps. In homage to his Scottish heritage, David, his best man and ushers wore traditional Scottish kilts.
Wedding at Bickleigh Castle Devon
Wedding at Bickleigh Castle Devon
Wedding at Bickleigh Castle Devon
The dramatic backdrop of the Great Hall was the setting for the civil ceremony, followed by a blessing in the 9th century chapel. "The blessing was beautiful as David and I wrote our own vows and they were so emotional".
Wedding at Bickleigh Castle Devon
The wedding breakfast included warm tartlet of smoked salmon, roast sirloin of beef and chocolate tart. The child guests tucked into fish and chips in a separate room where they were entertained by clown and magician Professor Fumble. Young and old got into the groove during the evening disco where a personalised play list proved a hit - as did a hog roast complete with all the trimmings.
Wedding at Bickleigh Castle Devon
Wedding at Bickleigh Castle Devon
"The whole weekend was amazing," reflects Yrsa. "To have all your closest people around you celebrating your union is indescribable. We had perfect weather and the most amazing venue which was just beautiful in June as all the flowers were in bloom."
Wedding at Bickleigh Castle Devon
Yrsa has oodles of advice for brides-to-be. "Write lists and plan everything in detail. We personalised every aspect from our vows to my dress to the music. We had personalised candles as favours and my daughter wrote all the place settings."
Wedding at Bickleigh Castle Devon
She concludes, "Go with what you both want and don't bow to pressure from others or what is traditionally done. It's your day and, if it's right for you, then go with it."
Wedding at Bickleigh Castle Devon
The venue
Bickleigh Castle, Tiverton
01884 855363 www.bickleighcastle.com
The flowers
Westcountry Wedding Flowers
01884 855309 www.westcountryweddingflowers.co.uk
Photography
Lucy Shergold
07859 940769 www.lucyshergoldphotography.co.uk
Copyright WED Magazine 2011
